Harold Johnson vs. Matthew Saad Muhammad

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by red cobra, Nov 16, 2007.


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  1. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    This is like asking what style you like the most, or what kind of fighter you prefer. Saad is legendary for his face first, dramatic come-from-behind ko victories and provided many thrill in his reign as lightheavy champion, and Harold Johnson is, well, in my opinion, the quintessential master technician. My interest in, and admiration for Harold Johnson was stimulated in part by reading Duodenum's posts about him, particularly in the context of his bout with Willie Pastrano, another favorite of mine, and my being so intrigued by that type of bout with two similarly minded artfully defensive counterpunching technicians. Johnson was a renowned MASTER of that kind of style, and cooly and clinicly practiced it. I guess you know who I would favor in this particular mythical contest. I believe Johnson would have put on a clinic against the courageous Saad Muhammad and much to the frustration of the fans of Saad and blood and guts type fighting, would have neatly countered and frustrated his man all evening and won a lopsided decision.
     
    red cobra, Nov 16, 2007
    red cobra, Nov 16, 2007
    #1
  2. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Harold is the sort of fighter that would have outpointed Saad everytime. Saad's easily at his best in slugfests and all his stylistic strengths are blunted by Johnson.
     
    JohnThomas1, Nov 16, 2007
    JohnThomas1, Nov 16, 2007
    #2
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  3. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I agree with JT, although I would like to add that I think the fight would make fascinating viewing.
     
    McGrain, Nov 16, 2007
    McGrain, Nov 16, 2007
    #3
    mrkoolkevin and George Crowcroft like this.
  4. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Saad will have to fight outside his normal comfort zone. Excepting an early fight vs Mustafa Muhammad he never fought a technician anything like Harry. I think this is his achilles heel, but they'd better be able to take a shot i tell ya lol
     
    JohnThomas1, Nov 16, 2007
    JohnThomas1, Nov 16, 2007
    #4
  5. My dinner with Conteh

    My dinner with Conteh Tending Bepi Ros' grave again Full Member

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    I agree with the above. Johnson has too many tools here. This will be like Conteh-Saad 1 without the 14th and 15th. Harold wide UD.
     
    My dinner with Conteh, Nov 16, 2007
    My dinner with Conteh, Nov 16, 2007
    #5
  6. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Johnson liked a guy to lead ,no problems here ,Saad makes the running and Johnson wins the fight by dec.
     
    mcvey, Nov 16, 2007
    mcvey, Nov 16, 2007
    #6
  7. DFW

    DFW Active Member Full Member

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    Harold Johnson is one of the most overlooked and vastly under-rated boxers that I know of. He should be a top 3 rated lightheavyweight among the ATG. Archie Moore had his number but he still gave Moore all he wanted in their series of matches. He was one round away from winning Moore's title when he got careless and Archie nailed him. Johnson also defeated Ezzard Charles who many claim to be the best 175 lb. boxer ever.M Saad M was a gutsy champion who provided the fans with some tremendous performances but I would pick Johnson to win a match between the two. A match between Bob Foster and Harold Johnson would have been interesting.
     
    DFW, Nov 16, 2007
    DFW, Nov 16, 2007
    #7
  8. Pat_Lowe

    Pat_Lowe Active Member Full Member

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    Good to see some threads about Saad Muhammad. He's easily a candidate for most entertaining fighter of all time. Somehow or another his fights all ended up being wars or slugfests.
     
    Pat_Lowe, Nov 16, 2007
    Pat_Lowe, Nov 16, 2007
    #8
  9. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Harold Johnson would have been one of the few lightheavies of history who could have beaten Foster, in my opinion. Johnson WAS way underrated.
     
    red cobra, Nov 17, 2007
    red cobra, Nov 17, 2007
    #9
  10. ThinBlack

    ThinBlack Boxing Addict banned

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    Johnson would nullify Saad and take a UD on a 10-5 score.
     
    ThinBlack, Mar 13, 2012
    ThinBlack, Mar 13, 2012
    #10
  11. dpw417

    dpw417 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Johnson either wins a wide wide decision...or Sadd could put him down. Muhammad could really crack. I like Harold to win that decision most times.
     
    dpw417, Mar 13, 2012
    dpw417, Mar 13, 2012
    #11
  12. Liechhardt

    Liechhardt Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Harold wins.
     
    Liechhardt, Mar 13, 2012
    Liechhardt, Mar 13, 2012
    #12
  13. Eye of Timaeus

    Eye of Timaeus Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Johnson comfortably. Bump
     
    Eye of Timaeus, Apr 18, 2020
    Eye of Timaeus, Apr 18, 2020
    #13
  14. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    This would likely look like the Harold's greatest performance. Franklin is tailor made for him.
     
    George Crowcroft, Apr 18, 2020
    George Crowcroft, Apr 18, 2020
    #14
  15. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I like Johnson here but I think he has to hang on for dear life in the championship rounds. Saad in 11-15 was superhuman. He seemed to gain and gather strength for the stretch run and had confidence that he could pull it out.

    Johnson 9-6 losing probably four of the last five.
     
    Saintpat, Apr 18, 2020
    Saintpat, Apr 18, 2020
    #15
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